The end of a relationship with an employer can be a vital time for cementing a mutually agreeable connection. Doing so in a positive way can provide benefits for both the employee and the employer, and it can make parting ways a more enjoyable experience overall. This is true for internships as well as full-time permanent roles. In this article, we discuss the importance of ending your internship positively and provide a list of steps you can follow to help you end your own internship as successfully as you can.
Why is the end of your internship important?
When your internship has ended, your employer may have strong memories of your time together. This may be especially true of the last period of your time with the company and your actions as you part ways. The impression you leave as an intern can affect important decision,s such as whether you receive a return offer for employment. A positive experience at the end of your internship might also help you get a good letter of recommendation or reference for your next internship or job opportunity. Practicing positivity at the end of your internship can also help you establish good habits for times in the future when you may end your employment with a business or organization.
How to end your internship positively
If you want to leave the best possible impression at the end of your internship, here are some steps that might help:
1. Establish goals
First, establish your goals for the end of your internship. Maybe you have a project you’ve been working on that you’d like to compete successfully before your last day, or perhaps you’d like to learn a specific skill before leaving. You might even have a particular trait or behavior you’d like to practice before the end of your internship. Develop specific and measurable goals that you can work toward during the final days of your time as an intern with your company or organization.
2. Commit to a positive attitude
As part of your goal-setting process, commit to maintaining a positive attitude through the end of your internship. A positive outlook can help you leave the best possible impression on your employer by showing that you are committed and consistent in your bearing at work. It can also help you enjoy the remainder of your time in your internship and help you keep positive relationships with your colleagues, who might become important features in your professional network.
3. Ask for feedback
Next, solicit feedback from your employer or mentor. You may have already been doing this throughout your internship, in which case you might ask for summary feedback about your overall performance during your internship. If feedback has been a less frequent part of your internship, consider asking for a preliminary and follow-up review session during the last portion of your internship. Think about ways to implement that feedback in your performance at the end of your internship and in your next role.
4. Maintain professionalism
Throughout the end of your internship, be sure to maintain the highest standard of professionalism in the workplace. Ensure your communications are professional, and continue doing your best work through the end of your last day. This can help convey a sense of consistency in your demeanor and show that you are dedicated to high performance during your entire tenure with a company, which might, in turn, help secure a return offer or recommendation for your next role.
5. Do something great
If possible, accomplish something noteworthy during the end of your internship. Try to find an opportunity to exceed expectations by taking on a difficult project and completing it efficiently, for instance, or making a strong contribution to an existing project. Leaving your employer with a tangible, measurable, positive outcome of your time with them can help you leave a positive impression after you’ve gone.
6. Develop network connections
Be sure to continue developing the network connections you’ve established during your internship and try to create new ones as well. The leaders and colleagues you work with during your internship may prove to be valuable resources later in your career, and you may be able to provide benefits to them later as well. Try attending networking events and leveraging professional social media to make connections at this time.
7. Show your appreciation
Next, show your gratitude for your internship opportunity in the form of a thank-you note. Though an email may suffice in some industries and with some employers, it’s often best to send a handwritten thank-you note to show your appreciation. This is a good reflection of the time and energy invested in your internship tenure by everyone involved. Consider a small thank-you gift as well, depending on your relationship with your employer and their policy regarding workplace gifts.
8. Express interest in a job
If you would be interested in a return offer, be sure to make that interest clear to your employer before your internship ends as well. Supervisors are often busy, and it might help to draw their attention to your interest in returning. If your company has a formal procedure for processing intern return offers, be sure to take all the steps necessary to go through that process before your internship ends.
9. Revise and update your resume
Be sure to revise your resume before the end of your internship as well. This is usually a good idea because your duties and contributions are fresh in your mind, whereas you may forget some details if you wait until later to update your resume. Consider asking a trusted colleague or your internship mentor to review your resume and even your cover letter and provide feedback while you are still present. It can be easier to access these kinds of resources before your internship ends.
10. Request a reference
When you are revising and updating your application materials, you may wish to request a reference or letter of recommendation from your supervisor as well. Some organizations may have a formal process for these requests; if this is the case for you, be sure to complete each step of the request process carefully and follow up if necessary. If the process is more informal, be sure to follow etiquette and business communication protocol when making your request.
11. Make a plan
As part of the final stages of your transition out of your internship, develop a plan for the next steps in your career. This might involve a structured set of strategies for finding a full-time permanent position. It might also mean looking for additional internship opportunities if you are still in school. You might also make a plan to find and complete additional training and development that may be of support in your career search.
12. Maintain connections
After your internship is over, be sure to continue nurturing the network connections you developed during your experience there. Consider reaching out periodically to meet for coffee with your connections, either in person or using video conferencing. If it makes sense based on your relationship with those connections, consider providing them with updates on your education and career progress.
13. Practice confidence
Finally, practice conveying confidence throughout the end of your internship and after your last day. Completing an internship is an accomplishment and one that you can be proud of. Believe in your skills and abilities, and use that confidence to carry you through your last days as an intern and into the first days of your new career.
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Originally published on indeed.com
